When you think about music and you mention Washington D.C., Go-Go is usually the first thing that comes to mind.  Admittedly the nation’s capital has had minimal success in the Hip-Hop game –granted the district produced Question Mark Asylum, but those under the age of 30 are unaware of them. With all the buzz that surrounded Wale and the current hype around Diamond District ( Oddisee, YU and X.O), D.C. has the potential to make major moves in the Hip-hop game.  But there other players will need to be involved. Enter: Lyriciss.

The 22 year old emcee developed his passion for  writing rhymes at the age of 9 after hearing The LOX’s  “Money, Power, Respect”.  Through the years Lyriciss honed his craft, was listed in URB Magazine’s Next 1000 issue,  and aligned forces with DC-based Inner Loop Records—which has resulted in a slew of noteworthy mixtapes. Check out Lyriciss’ latest video for his latest single “Give ‘Em A Show” shot during Hustlepalooza at the U St. Music Hall in Washington DC.

http://www.vimeo.com/18192055

Directed & edited by Langston Sessoms of Inner Loop Media Group.

For More Info: Website | Twitter | Blog

Sy Smith and Mark deClive-Lowe (MdCL) recently recorded a re-imagined version of  the late R&B legend Teena Marie’s 1984 hit ’Lovergirl”. Check out the download.  Also, stay tuned for Sy Smith’s new full length album produced by Mark deClive-Lowe and their upcoming tour dates below:

Jan 20 – Seattle @ Nectar Lounge

Jan 22-Oakland @ New Parrish

Jan 26-Los Angeles @ Zanzibar

For More Info:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook| Youtube

Washington D.C. producer/emcee Oddisee decided to open 2011 with a collection of songs that he either produced or was featured on in 2010. The compilation features a host of artists such as Olivier Daysoul, Homeboy Sandman, Andreya Triana, Keziah, Eric Lau, Diamond District and many more so, click download while the compilation is still free.  After the 1,000th download, you’ll have to make a purchase if you want to own this treasure. — Jonathan Crisp

Fore More Info: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Induce’s “Her & I” , is a funky, boogie/disco cut that sonically pays homage to  Steve Arrington of Slave and Prince.  Not to mention it’s heavy on the Linn Drum (and that’s a good thing). The track is the first single off the DJ/Producer’s album “Halfway Between Me and You” slated for release in early 2011.  Finding his ground in the Miami music scene, Induce is known for producing left-field instrumentals and hip-hop tracks—but this song is a departure from that.

Over the last two years, Induce! has been writing and crafting songs for his debut release, and enlisted the help of Manuvers, Mr. Familiar (Solange Knowles, 50 Cent), and Jack Splash (of Plant Life). Check out the song below, and download it if you dig it.

“Her & I” (Album Version)

Download: “Her & I” (Album Version)

For More Info: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Earlier this year in June, the “Label Love”  compilation was born. It is a project that consists of records that were handpicked by heads of labels such as Tru Thoughts, Plug Research, Ubiquity Records and more. This week, they’ve returned with Vol. 2. featuring work from the aforementioned labels as well as One-Handed, Melting Pot and Ninja Tune. “Label Love Vol. 2″ is yet another eclectic mix of good music from artists like Sonnymoon, Paul White and SubCentric favorite, Bilal. —Jonathan Crisp

Emcee/Producer Like of West coast rap group Pac Div dropped “Golden Lady” via his twitter. The song is an unreleased track from 2007, and samples and loops the Stevie Wonder 1973 classic of the same name. So what say you: Is the track Golden?

“Golden Lady” (Looped by Like)

Download: Golden Lady

For More Info: Website

The Alison Carney + CityLife Project, is a new and exciting music based viral partnership between classically trained singer/songwriter Alison Carney and social media platform CityLife. Carney will engage the Washington,D.C. music community—specifically aspiring producers—for a three month competition starting January 2011.  Aspiring producers will be able to upload beats to www.citylifecard.com and Alison will select the tracks at the end of each month. The chosen track will be released the following month as a “digital-only” exclusive on www.citylifecard.comand www.efmusicgroup.com.

PROCESS/RULES:
1. Go to www.citylifecard.com and click “Member Registration” to create a Member Account (Free).
o Include DC area address (DC, MD, VA) – MANDATORY (producers must live in the Washington, DC area (DC, MD, VA)
2. After creating your Member Account upload beats.
o Upload no more than four (4) beats
3. After Member Account is created and beats uploaded CityLife forwards producer Member Accounts to Alison Carney for review of music.
4. Producers cannot switch music during the three (3) month (January 2011 – March 2011) period of competition.
5. Producers can only create one (1) Member Account.
6. Producers cannot create a new Member Account for each period (January 2011 – March 2011).
7. A winner will be selected and notified at the beginning of each period from January – March 2011.
8. The winning track (vocals and production) will be released, at the beginning of each month (January – March 2011), as a “CityLife Exclusive,” where the music will live in the “Gallery Section” of www.citylifeacard.com www.efmusicgroup.com.

For More Info: City Life | Alison Carney

Between working diligently on Dr. Dre’s Detox album and a slew of other projects,  Dawaun Parker found time to release “Schemin’” the second single from The Decision EP.   “Schemin” is a solid, period. Not to mention the horns at the end of the track are pure heat.  

Dawaun Parker “Schemin” (Prod. Dawaun Parker)

Download: Schemin’

For More Info: Website | Twitter

With various trends/fads of the 80’s and 90’s making a resurgence, it was only a matter of time until Hip-house came back. (Pause: for those who might not be acquainted with the term) Hip-house or house rap is a mix of hip-hop and house music made popular in the late 80’s and into the 90’s.  The genre enjoyed some mild mainstream success –but made a movement on the dancefloors.

Enter The GTW (Greater Than Wealth),a 20 year old Hip-House artist of Nigerian decent who recently released his debut mixtape,”Don’t Smoke The Cigarette, (which can be downloaded HERE for free).  The video for The GTW’s first single,”Blow Me Away”, features vocals from South African soul singer Danny Brusco and production from producer Zip Justin Warren.  Check out why Urb Magazine has called The GTW one of the Next 1000.

http://www.vimeo.com/17529361

For More Info: Website | Twitter